Because being healthy should be fun.

Californiavocado

Sometimes, however, it’s wise to make sure everyone around you knows exactly what you’re all about.

It’s a good thing that I talk about my love of food and healthy living a lot, because Colleen really showed me some awesome LA-style food!

Look! It’s people walking! In LA! (over a Hollywood star, of course)

Being the good Chicagoan that I am, I made sure that I at least got a little exercise while I was there. Colleen took me to Griffith Park to do a little hiking. It was really pretty with the vistas of the valleys and foothills in the distance, but man, it was steep!

There were multiple servings of breakfast sandwiches at little cafés and sushi at a BYOB spot (ergo, there was wine). There was also some of this:

Yes, that’s good old fashionedbarbeque!

The two of us went to a wine tasting at a great wine shop in Colleen’s neighborhood called Silverlake Wine. The staff was awesome- very knowledgeable and friendly and made the event really low-key. The theme was “BBQ and BBQ wines”. We tried five different wines alongside beans, potato salad, chicken, ribs and brisket. Both the wine and food was awesome!

This Sur de los Andes Bonarda was my favorite of the day. It’s characteristic of South America and is very grapey with an acidic finish.

…Nope, I didn’t come up with that on my own.

That’s what they told us. This was also the least expensive wine of the day (a reasonable $15). What can I say? I have simple tastes.

Colleen also made sure that I didn’t miss out on organic, vegan food while I was in LA. After all, when in Rome!..err, LA.